Review of As Good as It Gets (1997) by Hannah B — 18 Jan 2011

As Melvin Udall, a romance novelist and all-around son of a bitch, Jack Nicholson throws himself into his role with an energy that must have rubbed the Academy the right way. Melvin is incredibly offensive, whether throwing homophobic quips at his painter neighbor (Greg Kinnear) or simply speaking his mind to strangers. But Melvin also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and constantly washes his hands, meticulously steps over sidewalk cracks, and brings his own plastic utensils to the cafe he frequents. A romantic comedy hero he's not, which is the best thing about this James L. Brooks directed drama that's not quite romantic and not quite comedic.

Melvin manages to make a genuine human connection with Carol Connelly, his daily waitress, and played with genuine gusto by Helen Hunt. Carol is a single mother caring for an asthmatic son, living with her mother (Shirley Knight) and seemingly oblivious to the fact that she is in fact beautiful and attractive. You can pretty much see the end coming from that set-up.

Brooks is a more than capable filmmaker, but he's still yet to top his great masterwork Broadcast News, a film that carries tremendous depth and weight. His subsequent movies have been likable, but not much else.